Sooners Set Records, Soar to Win Over Golden Eagles

Monday, November 7

Norman

4 PM

University of Oklahoma

105

Oral Roberts

Photo by: Ty Russell

Sooners Set Records, Soar to Win Over Golden Eagles

November 07, 2022 | Women's Basketball

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By: OU Athletics Communications

NORMAN – The Oklahoma women's basketball team jumped out to an early lead, set first-half records and soared to a 105-94 win over in-state foe Oral Roberts to open its season Monday at Lloyd Noble Center.

The No. 15-ranked Sooners, led by second-year head coach Jennie Baranczyk, set program records for points in a quarter (38) and assists in a half (19) in the victory. Oklahoma (1-0) had five players reach double-digit points as OU improved to 38-11 all-time in season openers.

"What a great first half," Baranczyk said. "Honestly there were some great lessons for us, but really there is some really great basketball in the state of Oklahoma. We knew that Oral Roberts would come in and play hard. We've got to play a lot better in the second half, but I am really pleased with the balanced scoring. We're going to be a really fun team."

The Sooners started the new campaign with the best offensive quarter in program history. Oklahoma used a 14-0 run to jump out to a 20-5 lead and then turned on the jets. The Sooners shot 59% in the frame en route to a school-record 38 points to take a 38-17 lead into the second quarter. Powered by a school-record 19 first-half assists the Sooners continued to pour it on in the second, outscoring the Golden Eagles 29-20 in the frame.

Up 68-37 at the break, Oklahoma battled in the second half, as Oral Roberts (0-1) cut the deficit to 20 points midway through the third quarter, but a quick burst of OU offense extended OU's lead back to 25 with 10 minutes to play. With Oklahoma up 101-75, Oral Roberts cut into the OU lead as the Sooners opened their bench, but Oklahoma's lead was never threatened and the Sooners won 105-94.

Naismith Trophy watch list honoree Madi Williams led the way offensively, pouring in 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting paired with a couple of assists. But the defending Big 12 Sixth Player of the Year, Skylar Vann, stole the show in Norman. The junior forward scored 18 points on 8-of-15 shooting, grabbed a team-high eight boards and had a block in the win. Ana Llanusa, Taylor Robertson and Nevaeh Tot all tallied 13 points as five Sooners scored in double figures for the first time since OU's win at TCU on Feb. 23, 2022.

As a team, the Sooners dished out 26 assists vs. just 15 turnovers, led by freshman Reyna Scott's five dimes. Nine different Sooners tallied at least one assist in the effort. Oklahoma shot 47.6% on the night and went 9-of-29 from deep, with Big 12 career 3-point holder Taylor Robertson burying three treys. Baranczyk's team pulled down 50 rebounds for the seventh time since the start of the last season, tied for sixth most in the country in that span.

Oklahoma returns to the floor Friday, Nov. 11, at 10:30 a.m. when it hosts (--/RV) SMU (1-0) for the annual Sooner Junior Kids Field Trip Day. The game will air live on ESPN+.